Thomas Jerry Sanders

Thomas "Tom" Jerry Sanders was born on March 14, 1946, to Leila Saunders and Henry Roseboro in Shelby, North Caroline. Surrounded by family, Tom peacefully transitioned on October 24, 2025. 

After his mother suffered a fatal accident when he was nine, Tom, the oldest of three children, grew up with his cousins Karen, Kimberley and Ronald. Tom attended public schools in Shelby, North Carolina.

Tom moved to Newark, New Jersey. On January 10, 1969, at the age of 22, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with distinction until May 23, 1973. In the military, Tom was stationed at Camp Lejune in NC and served overseas in Okinawa, Japan and in the Vietnam War. Tom's specialty was Combat Engineer working with explosives. Tom received a National Defense Service Medal and in M16 Rifle Marksman badge. As a civilian, Tom was a Carpenter. 

Tom moved to Albany, NY where he met Brenda Allen, the love of his life. They were married on April 20, 2016. Tom, was a good man, a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was very close to his cousin Karen and his longtime friend Anthony Smith. Tom was an upstanding gentleman who stood on his standards. Tom opened his heart to everyone and eagerly extended a helping hand to others. Tom loved sports and could always be found in front of a TV enjoying the games. 

Tom was predeceased by his mother, Lelia Saunders; his father, Henry Roseboro; his sister Hazel Elizabeth Beasley; and his brother Charles Richard Saunders. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Brenda Allen Sanders, his children Celeste Harrison Hardy (Eddie Hall); Semera Saunders, Andrea Allen, Andre Allen, Antione Whitfield and Marquis Everett; his grandchildren Amirah Harrison, Eddie Hall III, Dezhane Allen, Christine Porter (Kian Yong), Danielle Porter, Nyobi Fields, Jaysaun Fields, Bjorn Ricky Kornegay, Loyalty Allen, Aliyah Allen, Savon Whitfield and My'ailah Everett; his great-grandchild, Amiyay (Lucy) Giggetts; his cousins Karen Saunders, Kimberley Saunders and Ronald Prysock, and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Memorial Visitation will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10:30am - 11:30 am, with a Celebration of Life service to begin at 11:30am at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie NY 12205

This service will be available on Livestream. This will begin on Saturday at 11:20am. 

Full obituary to follow.